What is Field Experience?

Field experience is a foundational clinical experience that provides opportunities for teacher candidates to engage in the teaching and learning processes in classrooms/schools prior to their culminating student teaching or practicum clinical experience(s).

For detailed information, please review The Guide to Field Experience.

Basic Expectations

Teacher candidates will begin each field experience by observing for the first few hours in the classroom.

The expectation is that each candidate will progressively take on a more active role in the classroom as they become familiar with the classroom expectations

Teacher candidates may need some direction or encouragement to know exactly how school-based teacher educators (SBTE) would like them to participate in the classroom.

The level of engagement will depend on the SBTE’s perception of the teacher candidate’s readiness and the needs of the SBTE and the learners.

Teacher candidates might have particular course assignments that ask them to engage with learners in specific ways (e.g., reading a book to a small group of learners, administering assessments such as running records, developing and/or teaching a lesson in a particular content area)

Assessment

As a means to engage in formative assessment on the professional behaviors and dispositions of our teacher candidates, we ask each SBTE to complete a short survey called "The Professional Behaviors Assessment" for each teacher candidate(s) assigned to their classroom. 

Please review the Professional Behaviors Assessment Reference Document .

 An link to the online survey will be emailed to SBTEs towards the end of the placement.

What is Undergraduate Practicum?

Undergraduate Practicum is an all-day, five-days-a-week, six-week intermediate field experience for our undergraduate students in the Inclusive Early Childhood/Childhood Education Program and the Inclusive Adolescence Education Program that takes place in Summer A (May/June) prior to student teaching in the Fall Semester.

For detailed information please read The Guide to Undergraduate Practicum.

Basic Expectations

Teacher candidates must follow the teacher's contractual hours.

Teacher candidates are expected to participate in all aspects of the classroom during the placement.

The teacher candidates' main task during practicum is to gain experience through active involvement with children in a classroom setting, to observe a professional teacher in action, and to assist that teacher as directed.

Ultimately, teacher candidates progress from observing in the classroom during the first few days to helping individual students to leading small groups or helping teach mini-lessons to completing some daily teaching such as leading morning meetings, warm-up activities or teaching a core subject

Remuneration

As a token of our appreciation, all SBTES who welcome a teacher candidate completing their undergraduate practicum are given a remuneration.

Approximately two weeks before the placement ends, the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships will email you Undergraduate Practicum Remuneration Selection Form and a W-9.

Please complete these documents within one week of the placement ending.

All documents must be submitted via the US Postal Service mail to the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnership due to the sensitive nature of the information.

What is Student Teaching?

Student teaching is a culminating clinical experience for teacher candidates who are working on their initial teacher certification.

For detailed information please review The Guide To Student Teaching.

Basic Expectation

During student teaching, teacher candidates are expected to gradually assume increased responsibilities for all aspects of the teaching and learning process: planning, teaching, evaluating, and participating as fully as possible in the school community.

The goal is for the teacher candidates to assume the full range of teaching responsibilities for at least one week of the student teaching experience.

As a means to engage in on-going dialogue, reflection and assessment, we ask each SBTE to complete both a Midway Evaluation Rubric and a Final Evaluation Rubric. 

Remuneration

As a token of our appreciation, all SBTES who welcome a teacher candidate completing their student teaching or graduate practicum are given a remuneration. 

Please review School of Education Remunerations Guidelines carefully. 

Approximately two weeks before the placement ends, the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships will email you School of Education Remuneration Selection Form and a W-9.pdf. 

Please complete these documents within one week of the placement ending. 

All documents must be submitted via the US Postal Service mail to the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnership.

Remuneration

As a token of our appreciation, all SBTES who welcome a teacher candidate completing their student teaching or graduate practicum are given a remuneration. 

Please review Speech and Language Pathology Remunerations Guidelines carefully. 

Approximately two weeks before the placement ends, the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnerships will email you Speech and Language Pathology Remuneration Selection Form and a W-9 Form. 

Please complete these documents within one week of the placement ending. 

All documents must be submitted via the US Postal Service mail to the Office of Clinical Experiences and Partnership.